Research Associate

The College of Health and Human Performance provides instruction, conducts research, and performs service in health education and promotion, kinesiology, human development and family science, social work, interior design and merchandising, and recreation sciences and sport management. The mission of the College of Health and Human Performance is to improve health, well-being, and quality of life. The primary focus of the college is to advance and disseminate knowledge concerning maintenance and enhancement of health and quality of life.

The primary project and research will take place in a laboratory setting and involve directing and advancing projects funded by the Department of Defense. The position will take a leadership role in three areas: (1) a grant looking at the effects of repetitive loading on biomechanical markers of neurological function among fast-boat crew members, (2) a grant focused on relational efficacy beliefs, decision making, and objective performance, and (3) independent management and leadership of Kinesiology biomechanics and motor control group research services.

The first project assesses biomechanical and sensorimotor markers of neural function (brain imaging, balance control, and eye tracking) on personnel post fast boat exposure. The project will assess magnitude of boat acceleration is related to evidence of neural function, including how factors of head acceleration (e.g., frequency, slow, magnitude, and impulse) and neck strength that might influence biomechanical markers of neurological function. The project will also assess how role (boat operators and riders) interacts with load on changes to neural function. This work could lead to physical training interventions and/or refinements of boat design that will aid in improving warfighter health and maximizing readiness. This will require independent travel for data collection that, among other possible locations, will include US military bases. Specifically, this position will travel to enroll participants and collect balance, EEG, and eye tracking data. This position will be responsible for scientific writing including conference abstracts, manuscripts, grant reports, and future grant applications.

The aim of the second project is to address how group composition changes affect teamwork. Specifically, it includes measures of psychological (self-reported confidence in self and others) and biomechanical (electromyography, kinematics) aspects of performance during a team tug-of-war task. Because participants, from an ROTC program, work with several teammates, we can examine their behavior across multiple teams providing stronger models of team assignment. This position will be responsible for managing equipment and project set-up. The role will also involve data management, processing, visualization, and write-up for conference papers, grant reports, and papers for publication.

Leadership of Biomechanics and Motor Control Group Research Services - 50%
This position will provide comprehensive educational and technical leadership for faculty working in biomechanics and motor control with The Department of Kinesiology. A primary responsibility of the position will be to manage shared resources. This will include being responsible for hardware and software maintenance, scheduling, and training of students (BS, MS, and PhD). The position is responsible for monitoring inventory of research disposables. This manager will lead supervision and procedures for use of shared equipment and resources. This will include maintaining a technical manual for key shared equipment that supports student training; being responsible for procurement of research disposables and cost accounting; and troubleshooting/repair of laboratory equipment.

Leading Research Projects - 20%
This position is responsible for managing and administering planned, laboratory-based research program, including planning, developing, and implementing activities, protocols, and timelines to implement and evaluate the program. The position will leverage considerable independent decision making to advance the research project, ensure timelines are met, and manage program resources, including budgets and will travel for data collection. The position will monitor activities across an array of university and military partners associated with the program and will identify and implement communication strategies and procedures in consultation with the PIs and within the scope of the study protocol. Example activities may include proposing solutions to barriers, monitoring budgets, assessing appropriate payments for subcontracts and research participants, tracking project progress, and developing defined grant status reports. This position will mentor, assign, and monitor the work being performed by Graduate students on this project.

Data Integrity and Interpretation - 20%
This position is responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of certain phases of the assigned project(s) with limited supervision from the principal investigators. Example activities coordination of data collection including scheduling and management and the development of trend analysis to ensure projected deliverables and outcomes are on track. The research associate will be responsible for ensuring that the studies are conducted in accordance with study protocols and will oversee and lead collection methods with considerable independence. A basic knowledge of research principles, study design, and methods of data collection and analysis will be used in the performance of duties. The position will monitor data and assess its integrity as well as perform basic statistical analyses, including interpreting results.

Collaboration and Relationship Development - 10%
Communicates study progress to partners, military contacts, and other research teams. Solves problems in systems, including connections between research team, partners, and funders. Example duties may include contributing to writing reports and making presentations on research data collection efforts.

Contingent upon availability of funds.

Relevant Master's degree; or relevant BS/BA with three years of relevant work experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

None

Prior experience working on a research project.

Professional communication skills with researchers and military partners.

Laboratory research experience, including computer programming and experience with software systems.

Completion of human research protections training.

East Carolina University requires applicants to submit a candidate profile online in order to be considered for the position. Candidates must also submit a cover letter, resume, and a list of three references, including contact information, online.

2-3 original letters of reference are required for employment. Please be aware that if selected as a candidate of choice, an automatic e-mail will be sent to the individuals entered by the applicant in the References section in the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system. Letters of reference submitted via the PeopleAdmin applicant tracking system will be verified and considered towards meeting this requirement.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must complete a candidate profile online via the PeopleAdmin system and submit any requested documents. Additionally, applicants that possess the preferred education and experience must also possess the minimum education/experience, if applicable.

Unless otherwise identified in the applicable job posting and consistent with University policy, the University will principally employ individuals who reside in the State of North Carolina to the greatest extent practicable. As such, most positions at East Carolina University require employees to live and work in North Carolina (or live within a reasonable daily commuting distance from their duty station) after hire. Candidates should be prepared to relocate within a reasonable, agreed-upon time after an offer of employment has been made and accepted to meet this requirement.

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